What to Expect

This walk is ideal if you:

Enjoy peaceful alpine settings

Prefer moderate hikes with manageable challenges

Appreciate diverse landscapes

Do not mind early-morning spider webs

Seek secluded picnic spots

Shadow Lake offers the perfect blend of calm forests, alpine vistas and tranquil lakeside relaxation. The hike requires careful footing, especially over tree roots and occasional steeper sections, but the constant shifts in scenery more than compensate.

Expect tall eucalypt forest near the start, short climbs and descents, muddy root-filled terrain, alpine moorland with views of Mount Hugel and Mount Rufus, boardwalks across wet areas, and a quiet lake with picnic spots.

Best Time to Visit

Shadow Lake is accessible year-round, though each season changes the walk. Spring and autumn usually bring mild, stable walking conditions and fewer crowds, with trails generally easier to manage. This is probably the best time to enjoy the Lake St Clair area if you like to avoid the busiest periods.

Summer offers longer days and warmer weather for a lakeside rest, although the water remains chilly and Lake St Clair is at its busiest. Winter can turn the area into a snowy wonderland, but simple walks become more demanding, with slippery tracks, snow-covered sections and fast-changing weather. Check conditions at the visitor centre before heading out.

Track Conditions and Things to Be Aware Of

Pack for a proper Grade 4 walk

Shadow Lake can feel relaxed, but the grade still matters. Roots, mud, weather and distance all add up, especially late in the day.

The trail includes uneven ground, especially on the return leg through dense forest. Tree roots are abundant, so sturdy footwear is essential, and sections can become muddy or slippery after rain or snow.

There are no facilities along the route. Carry at least two litres of water per person, more in warmer weather, and bring food for energy breaks. Campfires are not permitted. If you want a hot meal by the lake, bring a fuel stove and follow park rules.

Starting Out

The walk begins close to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, winding through tall eucalypts before the track starts to climb. The inclines come early, but none are especially punishing, and the forest is a beautiful way to ease into the day.

If you are among the first walkers out in the morning, keep an eye out for spider webs across the track. If you have a walking buddy, this is a convenient time to let them take the lead.

Into the Forest

As the track climbs through dense woodland, glimpses of Lake St Clair start to appear through the trees. The vegetation shifts gradually as you gain height, with snow gums beginning to replace the thicker forest. The terrain here asks for more attention, with roots and muddy sections appearing regularly, so watch your footing and take your time.

Alpine Moorland and Shadow Lake

Higher up, the forest gives way to open alpine moorland, and the views are a satisfying reward. Mount Hugel and Mount Rufus both come into view, and the sense of space is a real contrast to the sheltered forest below.

Shadow Lake sits quietly beneath Little Hugel, making it a lovely spot to stop for lunch and let your legs recover before the return journey.

The Return

The descent takes you through open buttongrass plains, with boardwalks helping you cross the wetter sections. In winter these boardwalks can be icy, so take extra care. This open part of the walk has a wonderful feeling of remoteness, and the views back across the plains are a highlight.

The final stretch returns to forest, where tired legs need to pay attention to roots. Take it slowly, follow the signs onto the Larmairremener tabelti track, and before long you will be back at the visitor centre.

Explore Some More

If you have the energy and daylight, the walk can be extended toward Forgotten Lake or up to the summit of Mount Rufus. Both options add more alpine scenery and rewarding views, but Mount Rufus is a much bigger undertaking and should be treated as a separate objective.

Hannah standing by the calm waters of Lake St Clair, looking toward the rugged peaks of Mount Olympus. Hannah walking along the shoreline of a calm lake with a dense green forest in the background. Hannah standing with a red backpack by a still lake reflecting the surrounding eucalyptus trees and blue sky. Tall Richea pandanifolia plants with long, curling green leaves reaching toward a soft blue sky. A small red hut nestled on a green hillside with blue mountain peaks in the distance. Hannah standing by the calm waters of Lake St Clair, looking toward the rugged peaks of Mount Olympus. Hannah walking along the shoreline of a calm lake with a dense green forest in the background. Hannah standing with a red backpack by a still lake reflecting the surrounding eucalyptus trees and blue sky. Tall Richea pandanifolia plants with long, curling green leaves reaching toward a soft blue sky. A small red hut nestled on a green hillside with blue mountain peaks in the distance.